Small Note:

Growth Part 1 and 2 (Formerly Chapter 2 and 3) have been merged into 1 chapter. All subsequent chapter have a shift on its number.

If you are new reader, then this will not concern you.

For up to date follower, You may have missed another update this week, Chapter 6 : Interlude it is edited in an old thread. So the update fly below the radar.

Sorry that this one took a while to chunk out. Hope you enjoy chapter 7 !

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Snow is falling heavily, blocking my field of vision with pure white.

The sun have only recently came out from its hiding. Nowhere near strong enough to ward off the cold from my body.

Heavy..., the snow keep piling up on me over time.

Is this the end?, to be frozen deep under the snow without anyone noticing until the spring?.

It's too late to call for help, I can barely move my lips. What a stupid death this is.

Why isn't anyone coming to the garden?. I know it is winter and the flower doesn't need any tending but come on, I will seriously freeze to death if no one is coming to help.

Please, anyone, someone, check this totally suspicious pile of snow before I-

"Glen!, where are you!?."

-A voice!. Quick!, I have to show some sign of life!.

"...Aiem oufar hiiir..."

My voice was muffled by the snow as I'm currently lying face down. It is certainly not the best call for help of my life. But there's no more energy inside me to do a better call. I can already feel my lips skin torn apart.

Fear fill my heart when I hear the footstep going away. Is my voice not loud enough?, there's no way I can hold on until the next person passing through the garden.

Thankfully soon afterward I hear sounds as if someone plowing the snow. It seems I'm not alone in here just yet.

I can hear the sounds slowly getting closer to me, further confusing me of what it may be.

There's something hard hitting my body as the sounds came to a halt. Then I feel a bump on my legs, something hit it, most likely a stick.

I can sense someone hands around my leg, pulling it as hard as possible to drag me out from the snow pile. My face is unable to feel any pain despite grazing sharp piece of ice. That's the extent of how long I've stranded out here.

A moment of blurriness pass through my eyes as the vision change from pure white to a silhouette of someone wearing a maid uniform holding a broomstick.

My savior is looking at her excavation result while sighing heavily, followed by a remark I have heard far too often.

"Seriously Glenard..., when will you stop being so suicidal?."

It is Gaby, with her normal scolding tone, yet it sound pleasingly sweet for my ear at the moment.

"Ah..Gaab..help..me.."

"What do you think I'm currently doing?."

Gaby drag me away from the garden back into the mansion. The side door leading to kitchen was open, it seems she came from there.

As I'm no longer entrapped in the snow, my sense of smell return to me alongside a faint scent of delicious food. That reminds me, I haven't had my breakfast yet. My stomach growl leak my thoughts to Gaby, yet she doesn't change her trajectory to the kitchen, we are still heading to main living room on ground floor.

She put me to sit on chair facing the furnace before throwing a few more logs into it to keep the fire ablaze. Afterwards she put a blanket over me before heading to the kitchen for awhile, only to return with a plate of breakfast and hot broth to warm up my body.

Her eyes is looking for any visible wound in my body while her face expression is still dominated by anger. Probably recounting how many times similar situations like this have happened in the past.

"Seriously!, just what're you doing in the garden anyway!?."

"Ah.., I was cleaning the snow around the path to the mansion. So I thought maybe I should brush off the snow from mansion roof as well. But..-"

"You slip up halfway and fall to the garden. And that's why the rooftop is only half covered by the snow, which make me suspicious and began to search for you. Are you really dumb to do something that dangerous on your own?. How many times this has to happen until you're satisfied!?"

"Sorry..., but I'm perfectly fine though. I manage to land without any injury, It's just that I'm kind of fatigued at the moment."

"That's not the problem!, what if something more dangerous happen in the future!?, you need to learn about the word caution!."

Gaby keep going on and on with her scolding as I fill my stomach with hot food. Over the years she have transformed into something similar to a nagging mother. Although I guess she have a good reason to do so. The experiment to use my domain in certain situation could gone completely wrong sometimes. This time I tried to use my domain to brush off the snow as I walk around, something of a practice if I happen to meet an enemy who is using ground-based attack.

Volwyn told me to name my different usage of domain control as unique as possible, that way my brain will have better memory of the name. All of his suggestions are really weird, so I'm just calling it as [Barrier] at the moment. It's somewhat works as if I'm pushing any material away the moment they enter my domain range. The opposite is true as well, I can hold onto it to stop it from leaving my domain. I named this variant as [Cage].

Even though [Barrier] and [Cage] is one of the first idea I came up with, its wide usability cannot be overlooked. Projectile based attack can be deflected with [Barrier], and [Cage] can keep hold of air around me when I submerge under water for lengthened period of time. Their usability will only grows as I find myself in more situations.

In fact I also used [Barrier] to soften my landing from rooftop. The drawbacks is a little bit tougher than usual since I'm pushing away the ground itself. In the end I manage to stop in midair with just a hair away from crashing. The fatigue from overuse of my domain is the reason why I couldn't move afterwards, thankfully Gaby was there to save me.

That's right, why she's here anyway?. Shouldn't she be at the herb shop today?

"Gaby, shouldn't the herb shop already open at this time?. Why are you still here?."

"We run out of herbs again, so the shop is no go today. You should be grateful, else there's no way I could find you before it's too late."

"Really?, then I guess I had to use herbs from emergency stash again. Could you make some for me ?."

"Stop calling it emergency stash, it's for this mansion personal usage. You should have use it instead of going to the shop every day. You are robbing the villagers of their share."

"Eeeh, but freshly picked herbs is the best you know. Those powdered ones simply doesn't taste as good."

"... Sometimes you really act like a noble. Finish your breakfast first, I will prepare the brew in the meantime."

Once again Gaby left me for the kitchen. I know she's still worried about me, so I will just drink the herb brew and act all healed up. Of course the brew doesn't have that magical power of instant healing. But in this time of season anything which could heat up your body will have a positive effect.

This year winter is best described as non-stop snowfall, almost every patch of land is covered by the snow. The village no longer receive outside visitors as often as before, yet the herb shop is still packed due to farmers doesn't have anything to do while their field is frozen.

The situation become even more problematic as herbs become harder to harvest with all the snow laying around. Sylv'air is now fully occupied with harvesting herbs in Great Forest , the only place where plants still grow despite snow and lack of sunray. Yet she alone can't do much, hence why the herb shop working schedule is on and off. I could make do with mansion's personal herb stash, but the villagers have to deal with more water and less herb.

The guards is also slowly losing their spirits, they have to stand guarding the village despite all this snow. Rupherd have ordered them to keep their vigilance at higher level than normal due to his absence from the village for annual meeting between the united kingdom vassals.

The meeting is located on eastern kingdom capital castle Loyang, said to be named by a dragon as his blessing for ancient king. Despite being eastern kingdom capital, Loyang is located in the center of human realm. It will took a few weeks of travel to reach it from here. Considering the length of meeting between more than a hundred vassals, it is most likely Rupherd won't be able to come back before spring. The village will only have me and the guards as it defender in the mean time.

If we only consider normal fighting power, then I'm still below most of the guards. They also haven't consider me as someone who could protect the village. Rupherd doesn't allow me to use my domain during swordsmanship training, hence why the guards are still oblivious about it. He wants me to focus on my sword skill apart from the domain.

I myself haven't really tried using it in a combat. Sometimes I try to sneakily using it during spar, yet there's a limit to how much I can use while keeping it hidden. Sylv'air also can't help much because she isn't physical based. So there's nothing I can do but sharpening my skill on my own.

But I guess peace is the first and foremost thing I should be glad for. There's no use wishing for a demon attack simply so that I can find an excuse to use my domain in battle. Things have to be really bad for the guards to turn for my help. I don't want anything like that happen while Rupherd left the village in my stead.

If things really turn south like that, the villagers is the one who will suffer the most. They are just civilians who doesn't know how to swing a sword without toppling themselves. Just like Gaby who's currently walking towards me with a kettle and razor.

Wait, razor?. why is she holding that thing!?.

"Whoa whoa!, Gaby!, what's with that razor?."

"Hm?, I think your hair is getting a little bit long, so I'm planning to cut it for you."

Then you should've told me beforehand. Do you want to give me a heart attack?. But then, should I still have trust on Gaby's barber skill after last incident?.

"...Do you want to give me that weird hairstyle again?. I become laughingstock for the villagers because of you."

"That's only because you forget about my anniversary. Which until this day you still haven't given me a present!."

"But I thought we only celebrate birthday every seven year?. Shouldn't you wait two more years?."

"It's not about my twelfth birthday you idiot!, now drink your brew and let me cut your hair before I give you weird hairstyle again."

I'm seriously contemplating between letting her cut my hair or running away with the kettle. But my body is still not in condition where I can run faster than her, all I can do right now is believe in Gaby words to not make a mess of my hair.

Gaby trade my breakfast plate for a cup full of herb brew from the kettle she brought. It almost like she bribe me with herb brew for a chance of weird hairstyle.

Surprisingly, she really hold true to her words. I don't recognize any weird cut like last time. She always cut my hair the same way, hence why I didn't really watch out for it when she cut it weirdly.

Although I have one prime concern as always.

"You are still not cutting my sideburns?."

"Nope, you look cooler this way. I hope the same can be said about your actions though."

I want to give her a suitable comeback, but I know better than to argue with someone holding a razor close to your neck. Just let her do as she please and no one will get hurt. Too bad it seems she doesn't want to keep her mouth closed yet.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"What will you do after this?."

"I don't know, perhaps reread a few books and sleep. There's not much to do in this weather."

"How about both of us take a walk around the village?, I also have nothing to do."

"With snow falling that heavy out there?, no thanks.

"Why don't you use your power to keep the snow away from us?. That's what you want to practice right?."  

"I think I have enough training for today. There's only so much snow I can handle in a day."

"We'll use umbrella then, no more complaints right?."

Okay, I don't see any way out from here. It seems she want me to go with her at all cost. Not that I'm totally against it, but she must have a hidden reason for inviting me. Dangerous intention is best avoided if possible.

Then again, she always follow my every whim, I should let this one slip for once.

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I immediately regret my decision.

Everyone is looking at us as if we are a public attractions. It is different with the gaze I usually receive, even the guards are whistling at us every now and then. If only Gaby isn't together with me I might have run back to the mansion. She's giving me a stare as if saying I will be killed If I left her.

I know it's not because of my new haircut, there's nothing wrong from what I could've seen in the mirror. My fashion sense may not be as good, but it certainly not on a level where I can't recognize what makes me a clown and what not. There's only one reason behind our sudden fame.

"Tell me why we both of us is under same umbrella again?."

"Can't be helped, Maria and Nara already using the other two before us. It is only given to share an umbrella between the two of us."

Nara and Maria is the last of full-time maids in our mansion, as time passed most of them was married to man in the village and resign from their job. Although they always came whenever we need their extra pair of hands. The good news is that the amount of maids have dwindled to the point where I can remember their names.

"What I want to know is why you still forcing us to go despite that."

"Why?, there's nothing wrong with this. You already promised to go with me anyway."

I really shouldn't have accepted her request. All this stare makes me feel uneasy, it is as if any of them have noticed that I'm a former demon. The best I could hoped for is for her to take a short route around the village and return to the mansion as soon as possible.

This walk of shame almost make me feel ashamed for the time when I laugh at Volwyn and Nara for being lovey dovey in the garden. They didn't caught me laughing at them of course, although Maria was also peeking at them together with me.

Is this Gaby payback for all the flirt I throw at her nonchalantly?. Doesn't she know this will affect her as well?. I could've already predict the villagers gossip for the week. The brash maid and her young master finally walk together under a single umbrella.

There's nothing I can do while Gaby leads us to the most populous area, the central plaza. Either Gaby is oblivious to this or everything went according to her plan. All I can do is to steel myself for more judging gaze.

"Glen look!, there's a merchant."

"...Hmm what?. A merchant at this time of the year?."

"That guy came to our herb shop yesterday late at night. It seems he's a lone peddler."

"A lone peddler at top of that?. He must be a man of steel. Why there's no one looking at his goods?"

"Come on!, lets visit his stall."

Gaby hug my arm as we hurriedly walk to the stall. I can feel the gaze intensifies even more than before. It's not like I show this to all of you because I want to, stop looking at us like that.

The stall is full with peculiar merchandise, from the looks of it almost everything is above the buying power of a commoner. That must be why no one is visiting his stall, the price is simply too much for a frontier village like this.

Except.. for a noble.. especially the governor...

So this is why Gaby want me to accompany her!. I should've known something was wrong when she reminds me to bring my money pouch!.

"Welcome back young lady! My stall have fully opened now, please take a look!."

"Hello again dear peddler, I have brought you a customer."

"Oh is it now?, please please, have a look for anything suit your fancy."

It seems both of them won't let me go without buying anything.

Just why is Gaby so insistent on me buying her a present anyway?, could it be something important?. She said it was an anniversary, so it must be something happened seven years ago. I was four year old back then, and she was around five, just what could've happened?.

Unless.., is it an anniversary of our first meeting?. I guess we are around that age when we first met. Is that kind of anniversary really important for her?. We do have gone through many things during this past seven year, but it seems she consider it as something more special than I do. I guess I should return the favor for everything she have done for me. At least I could use this present to sooth her heart whenever a trouble arise in the near future. Perhaps even as half of her fourteenth birthday gift.

Let's see what this stall has to offer, or should I look for something Gaby likes?. She's currently staring at necklace with full attention. That's not good, you shouldn't blatantly show your interest like that, it will only make the merchant raise its price.

I should show some fake interest on other things before turning to the bracelet at the end.

"How about this silver comb, it looks good."

"Good eye sir!, it's coated with high quality silver from Siran mountain. Only 5 silver pieces!."

"Hmm, this ring is nice as well. how much is it cost?."

"That one is new release Halcia jewelries. Its red ruby are surrounded by other high quality gemstones. 25 silver will be enough to take it away from me."

"25 silver.., but this bracelet quite attractive as well. I'm having a hard time to choose."

"That bracelet was an artifact from over a century old dungeon. Perhaps its price is around 75 silver."

What the hell!, why is the prices keep going up every time I named new merchandise!?. At this rate the necklace will cost 2 gold coin at least. There's not even enough money in my pocket to afford the bracelet!.

Maybe the merchant is playing with me?. Let me try asking the necklace price just in case, if it really above 1 gold coin I will back out.

"...What about this necklace?."

"Ah, that one is among my most prized possessions. Mermaid's tear entrapped within small diamonds, said to formerly owned by a princess of western kingdom before the war. 5 gold coins."

I quit, this merchant really hold no quarter with his price. Does he seriously think someone in this village can spend 5 gold coins just like that!?. We are talking about 5 piece of gold coins as large as a grown man knuckle!!.

I tried to hide my anger by shifting my eyes away from the merchandise. My gaze fall on Gaby, it seems she was also worried about the price, perhaps she didn't know the price will be this expensive.

"Glenard.., it's ok."

Gaby is looking at me with apologies in her eyes. She's most likely afraid of forcing me to spend that much money for her present. Don't worry, it's not your fault. This crazy merchant just outbid everyone with his prices.

"Wait young man!, are you really the governor of this village son?, Glenard Postou?."

"..Yes, what is it?."

"I came here from Redwall castle to inform you of a grave matter. I only arrived yesterday late at night, so I'm planning to head to the mansion at noon today. Who knows I will meet you even earlier!."

"What grave matter from Redwall?, shouldn't they send an emissary instead of a peddler?."

"No one is dare enough to leave Redwall castle without guards except me. One of the demons they keep hostage in their prison have recently escaped. That thing is highly dangerous, said to be a leader of the goblins. The snow should've blocked his way back through the Great Forest, so it is very likely he will roam around the frontier. I've took it upon myself to inform the village along my path, it's most likely the villages on northern part of Redwall haven't known about this just yet."

A demon fugitive on the loose?, and the goblins leader at that. My wish really have come true at worst possible moment. I just hope he didn't found his way to here. This peddler have really saved us by bringing this news as fast as possible.

"Thank you for the news dear peddler. I'm sorry that I can't afford your merchandise, but I hope you will allow me the hospitality to visit our mansion. May I know your name?"

"Ah I'm sorry as well young lord, this greedy peddler can only stay here for a short while, so he thoughtlessly increase his merchandise price. I can only hope you found it in your heart to forgive this peddler named Baku."

"Do you really can't spare the time to visit our mansion for a cup of tea?."

"I'm afraid not, I should inform other villages as soon as possible. Being forgiven by young lord is enough reward for me. You really are mature just as the rumors , please feel free take one of my merchandise."

"Sir Baku, I didn't say I can't afford your merchandise just so I can take it for free..."

"Ah no young master!, please think of this as currying favor for the future. I only hope you will look in favor of me when you become a great man like your father"

I look at Gaby for a second, her eyes look at me as if she will accept anything I choose for her even if it's not the necklace.

This is a golden opportunity indeed, but isn't it common courtesy to only take a cheap merchandise from him?. Should I really ask for the necklace?, I hope he won't call me greedy afterwards.

"I'm sorry to take advantages of you, but my companion seems to really like that necklace earlier. I know it's a bit too expensive for you to gift me for free. I only have about 50 silver with me at the moment, but if you allow me I can return to the mansion to get more."

"Well, the necklace is certainly quite expensive, but that only means I will be in even more favor with you. What if I add a clause?, I can borrow a single thing in young lord possessions in the future."

"Borrow?, will that be enough?."

"It won't be a gift If I ask for a something in return, borrowing should still be in borderline limit"

Borrowing something in the future sounds quite fishy, but I doubt I will have anything worth more than 5 gold coins anytime soon. This deal sounds too good to be true.

"What if I add a clause of my own?. From now own Sir Baku will be free of charge whenever you visit our herb shop until the day you borrow that thing from me."

"Acceptable, the herb shop's brew is really delicious. I might found myself coming back her a couple times."

Baku and I done a agreement handshake before he hand over the necklace to me. He just stand and grin as I put the necklace on Gaby neck. She's fidgeting a lot, perhaps the passerby glance start to affect her. Afterwards Baku didn't spare a lot of time with us as he hurriedly leave the village for his next destination.

Gaby still looks shy of her new accessory as we walk back to the mansion. It looks good on her, maybe a tad bit too long since the pendant is hidden behind her clothes. But I'm sure it will fit once her chest grows bigger, she have Yester genes after all.

Right now there's only two concerns in my head. Tightening the security for possible goblin leader attack. And saving more money in case Sylv'air also want a present two years from now.